MOTU 828 USB3 Audio Interface (28x32)

MOTU 828 USB3 Audio Interface (28x32)

The MOTU 828 USB3 is a 28 x 32 USB 3 audio interface compatible with Mac, Windows and IOS devices. The 828 features 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs, 8 balanced/unbalanced TRS inputs, 8 TRS balanced TRS outputs, 2 headphone outputs and a host of other features including digital I/O.

Superb analogue audio quality

Renowned ESS Sabre32™ DAC technology delivers 125 dB dynamic range and extremely low harmonic distortion. Analog performance is driven by decades of engineering expertise in audio interface technology. 

Universal connectivity for Mac, PC and iOS

Connect to your Mac, PC or iOS device with 5 Gbps USB 3 (compatible with USB 2), with up to 60 audio channels (28 in and 32 out). Class-compliant firmware means you can plug-and-play with Mac or iOS hosts, no driver needed. Industry standard high-performance drivers work with any audio apps. Connect directly to your iPad™ via USB-C or a standard camera connection kit (Lightning adapter).

Connect all your studio gear, including microphones, guitars, synths, keyboards, drum machines, outboard processors, MIDI gear, optical expanders — even a foot pedal. All 28 inputs and 32 outputs are available simultaneously.

Ultra-low latency performance

Optimized drivers for both Mac and PC deliver renowned, ultra-low latency performance. With a high-performance DAW such as Digital Performer, the 828 delivers an astonishing round trip latency (RTL) of ~2 ms (milliseconds) over USB (2 or 3) at 96 kHz with a 32-sample host buffer.

Transparent mic channels and hi-Z guitar inputs

Capture your recorded material in its truest, most natural form with -113 dB THD+N, 115 dB dynamic range and -129 dBu EIN performance. Each mic channel has individual preamp gain, pad, 48V phantom power and remote control from your computer or iOS device. Each combo jack alternately provides a 1/4-inch high-impedance TS guitar input for DI tracking and reamping.

DIU guitar re-amping

DI your guitar to the front-panel input, use CueMix's near-zero latency to loop to any output (with a re-amp adapter, if needed), and record both the dry signal and your mic’d up amp simultaneously. Then re-amp the dry signal later with different amps and cabs — or amp modeling plug-ins — to experiment with different tones. No need to re-plug cables between recording and re-amping.

Extra line inputs when you need them

Do you work with compressors and other outboard gear? Each 828 mic input offers a dedicated analog send/return loop, allowing for both mono or stereo mic channel outboard processing via fully balanced connections. If nothing is plugged in to a mic input, its return serves as an extra line input with identical signal characteristics to all other line inputs.

Control up to ten analog outputs

Control your 5.1 or 7.1 surround speaker system with a single fader. The Monitor Group gives you the flexibility to choose any analog outputs you wish to control.

A/B speaker select and talkback

Take control of your recording sessions with the front-panel talkback switch. Connect two sets of monitors and check your mixes instantly with front-panel A/B select buttons.

Technical Specifications

• Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
• Mic/line/instr inputs
• 2 x XLR/TRS "combo" jacks
• Individual -20 dB pad and 48V phantom power
• Preamp gain: +74 dB in 1 dB increments
• 1 MΩ impedance on the line/instr inputs
• Independent balanced send/return inserts
• Analog inputs
• 8 x 1/4-inch TRS line in (balanced/unbalanced)
• 2 x 1/4-inch insert returns function as balanced TRS line inputs (with no mic inputs connected)
• Max level: +21 dBu
• +20 dB digital gain on each input
• Analog outputs
• 8 x 1/4-inch TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)
• 2 x male XLR out
• Max level: +21 dBu
• 2 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphone (see below)
• 2 x 1/4-inch TRS sends (balanced, pre-converter)
• Digital I/O
• 2 banks (16 ch) of ADAT optical I/O at 1x sample rates
• 2 banks (8 ch) of S/MUX optical I/O at 2x sample rates
• Bank A switchable to stereo TOSLink I/O (optical S/PDIF)
• 1 x stereo S/PDIF I/O on RCA (up to 96 kHz)
• Computer I/O
• 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type C • USB2 compatible , USB audio class compliant (no driver needed)
• 1 x IF-certified USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type C-to-C cable included
• Compatible with USB Type A (with a C-to-A cable, sold separately)
• Total USB audio channels: see "Total Audio I/O" below
• Round Trip Latency (RTL): ~2 ms (32 sample buffer at 96K)
• Total audio I/O
• 28 in / 32 out (60 total channels) at 1x sample rates
• 20 in / 24 out (44 total channels) at 2x sample rates
• 10 in / 14 out (24 total channels) at 4x sample rates
• MIDI I/O
• 1 x MIDI In
• 1 x MIDI Out/Thru
• 16 MIDI channels to/from computer host
• Headphone
• 2 x 1/4-inch TRS stereo headphones
• Output impedance: <1Ω
• Max output: 14.4 dBu
• Phantom power: 2 x individual +48V
• Foot Switch
• 1 x 1/4-inch foot switch input
• Mapping: pedal up/down to any host keystrokes
• Sync I/O
• 1 x BNC Word Clock In
• 1 x BNC Word Clock Out/Thru
• Sample rates: all (from 44.1 to 192 kHz)
• Front panel
• 2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs
• 2 x 1/4" TRS headphone outputs
• 2 x potentiometer • headphone volume
• 2 x potentiometer • mic/instr input gain
• 1 x potentiometer • menu navigation
• 1 x large potentiometer • main volume
• 12 x switches • (2) 48V, (2) pad, (6) control room, (2) nav
• 1 x 3.9-inch 480 x 128 pixel 24-bit RGB TFT display
• 1 x latching power button
• Power
• Internal 100-240V autoswitching supply
• 50-60 Hz • 0.5A max
• Dimensions and weight (width x depth x height, enclosure only)
• 19 x 12.25 x 1.75 inches / 48.26 x 31.1 x 4.44 cm
• 11 lbs / 5 kgs

System Requirements

• Mac System Requirements
• Intel Core i3 Mac or faster (including Apple silicon Macs)
• 4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended
• macOS version 10.15 or later
• Available Hi-Speed or Super-Speed USB port
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• Windows System Requirements
• Intel Core i3 PC (or AMD equivalent)
• 4 GB RAM; 8 GB or more recommended
• Windows 10 or later (x64 AMD/Intel only)
• Available Hi-Speed or Super-Speed USB port
• A large hard drive (at least 500 GB for recording)
• Class-Compliant Support: USB audio class compliant for plug-and-play operation on Mac or iOS (no driver required)
• Included Software
• CueMix 5
• MOTU Performer Lite
• Ableton Live Lite
• 6GB of loops and sounds from Big Fish Audio,
• LucidSamples, Loopmasters and MOTU